SB1: Bill Text

SB1, s. 12 Section 12. 5.052 of the statutes is created to read:

SB1,9,21 5.052 Government accountability candidate committee. (1) The government accountability candidate committee shall organize whenever a vacancy occurs in the membership of the board that requires a nomination to be submitted to the governor under s. 15.60 (2). At its first meeting after each organization, the committee shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson.

SB1,9,23 (2) No person may be nominated by the committee unless the person receives the votes of at least 6 members.

SB1,9,25 (3) Except as provided in sub. (4), the committee shall submit the following number of nominations:

SB1,10,1 (a) To fill one vacancy, 2 nominations.

SB1,10,2 (b) To fill 2 vacancies, 3 nominations.

SB1,10,3 (c) To fill 3 vacancies, 5 nominations.

SB1,10,4 (d) To fill 4 vacancies, 6 nominations.

SB1,10,6 (4) If a nomination of the governor is rejected by the senate, the committee shall submit an additional nominee to the governor.

SB1, s. 13 Section 13. 5.054 of the statutes is created to read:

SB1,10,9 5.054 Duties of the executive director. The executive director of the board shall:

SB1,10,11 (1) Whenever a vacancy occurs on the board, call a meeting of the government accountability candidate committee.

SB1,10,13 (2) Assist the government accountability candidate committee in the performance of its functions.

SB1, s. 14 Section 14. 5.066 of the statutes is created to read:

SB1,10,15 5.066 Complaints and decision-making procedure. (1) In this section:

SB1,10,16 (a) "Division" means the enforcement division of the board.

SB1,10,19 (b) "Election official" includes any board of election commissioners under s. 7.20 or governing body of a local governmental unit that has the responsibility to administer the election laws.

SB1,10,20 (c) "Local governmental unit" has the meaning given in s. 16.97 (7).

SB1,10,21 (d) "Working day" has the meaning given in s. 227.01 (14).

SB1,11,2 (2) Any person may file a verified complaint with the division alleging a violation of chs. 5 to 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19. The division shall investigate the complaint unless the division finds the complaint to be without merit. The division may, on its own motion or upon direction of the board, investigate any potential violation of chs. 5 to 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19 whenever the division has probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred.

SB1,11,9 (3) If the complaint concerns a question as to whether an election official or a private person is acting in conformity with the law or rules of the board, the person filing the complaint shall serve a copy of the complaint upon that official or private person and that official or private person shall be a party to the case. An election official or private person may move to dismiss a complaint if it is clearly without merit. If the division finds, in response to a motion, that a complaint is clearly without merit, the division shall dismiss the complaint.

SB1,11,12 (4) If the division does not dismiss a complaint, the division shall issue a proposed decision, which shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law and may include an order under sub. (5).

SB1,11,17 (5) The division may order an election official or a private person to act in conformity with chs. 5 to 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19 or rules of the board, or may, by order, impose a civil penalty under s. 11.60 or 12.60 (1) (c) or (d), 13.69, or 19.579 for any violation of ch. 11 or 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19 for which a civil penalty is applicable.

SB1,12,4 (6) The division may, in the discharge of its functions under this section and after providing notice to any party who is the subject of an investigation, subpoena and bring before it any person and require the production of any papers, books, or other records relevant to an investigation. A circuit court may by order permit the inspection and copying of the accounts and the depositor's and loan records at any financial institution, as defined in s. 705.01 (3), doing business in this state to obtain evidence of any violation of ch. 11 or 12, subch. III of ch. 1 3, or subch. III of ch. 19 upon a showing by the division of probable cause to believe there is a violation and that such accounts and records may have a substantial relation to the violation. In the discharge of its functions under this section, the division may cause the deposition of witnesses to be taken in the manner prescribed for taking depositions in civil actions in circuit court.

SB1,12,8 (7) If the division issues a decision under sub. (4) that contains an order under sub. (5), the order is effective upon service of the order notwithstanding any appeal to the board under sub. (8) or to circuit court under sub. (11), except that the division may stay such an order pending an appeal.

SB1,12,18 (8) Any party aggrieved by a proposed decision under sub. (4) may appeal the proposed decision to the board within 20 days after service of a copy of the decision upon the party. If no appeal is filed within 20 days of service of a copy of a proposed decision upon each party to the case in which the decision is made, the decision is final and becomes the decision of the board. In appealing a decision of the division, the appellant shall indicate in its appeal whether the appellant contests any finding of fact made by the division. If an appellant does not contest a finding of fact, the validity of which is reasonably ascertainable to the appellant at the time of the appeal, that finding is conclusive against the appellant in all subsequent proceedings.

SB1,13,6 (9) If a proposed decision of the division is appealed to the board, the board shall hear the appeal at its next meeting occurring at least 3 working days after the appeal is received by the board. In reviewing the decision of the division, the board is not bound by any finding of fact that is contested or any conclusion of law made by the division. After hearing the appeal, the board may issue a decision, which shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law. In its decision, the board may affirm, modify, or reverse an order issued by the division under sub. (5), and may order an election official or a private person to act in conformity with chs. 5 to 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19 or rules of the board, or may, by order, impose a civil penalty under s. 11.60, 12.60 (1) (c) or (d), 13.69, or 19.579 for any violation of ch. 11 or 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19 for which a civil penalty is applicable. If the board does not modify or reverse a decision of the division at the meeting at which an appeal of a decision is heard, the decision is affirmed.

SB1,13,10 (10) If a person aggrieved by a decision issued under sub. (4) that contains an order under sub. (5) appeals the decision to the board and the board modifies the order, the modified order is effective upon service, except that the division may stay such an order pending judicial review under s. 227.57.

SB1,13,19 (11) The defendant may appeal any decision of the division or the board in a contested case arising under this section as provided in s. 227.57. If the board modifies or reverses an order issued by the division under sub. (5), the division may seek judicial review of the decision. In seeking judicial review of a decision of the division or the board, the appellant shall indicate in its petition for review whether the appellant contests any finding of fact made by the division or the board that is not conclusive against the appellant. If the appellant does not contest any finding of fact made by the division or the board, that finding is conclusive against the appellant.

SB1,14,5 (12) When the enforcement division issues an order imposing a forfeiture under s. 11.60, 12.60 (1) (c) or (d), 13.69, or 19.579 that is not appealed in a timely manner under sub. (8) or (11), or when the board issues an order imposing a forfeiture under s. 11.60, 12.60 (1) (c) or (d), 13.69, or 19.579 and the period allowed under s. 227.57 for judicial review of the order expires, the division or board may file a copy of its order with the clerk of circuit court for Dane County. The clerk shall thereupon enter the order in the judgment and lien docket in the same manner as provided for entry of civil judgments under s. 806.10. The division or board may also enter the order on the judgment and lien docket of any other county under s. 806.13. The order may be enforced and satisfied in the same manner as provided for enforcement and satisfaction of civil judgments.

SB1,14,10 (13) If the division or the board issues an order requiring an election official or private person to act in conformity with chs. 5 to 12, subch. III of ch. 13, or subch. III of ch. 19 or rules of the board, the division may file an action in circuit court for any county where the official or other person is present to obtain relief requiring compliance with the order.

SB1,14,13 (14) (a) This section does not apply to any complaint brought by an election official or private person in which the board or the division is alleged to have violated the law.

SB1,14,15 (b) This section does not apply to any matter arising in connection with a recount under s. 9.01.

SB1, s. 15 Section 15. 5.40 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,14,23 5.40 (7) Whenever a municipality adopts and purchases voting machines or an electronic voting system, or adopts and purchases a different type of voting machine or electronic voting system from the type it was previously using, the municipal clerk or executive director of the municipal board of election commissioners shall promptly notify the county clerk or executive director of the county board of election commissioners and the executive director of the elections government accountability board in writing.

SB1, s. 16 Section 16. 5.62 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,15,5 5.62 (4) (b) The county board of election commissioners in counties having a population of more than 500,000 shall prepare the official primary ballot. The commissioners shall arrange the names of all candidates for each office whose nomination papers are filed at the county level, using the same method as that used by the elections government accountability board under s. 5.60 (1) (b).

SB1, s. 17 Section 17. 6.26 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,15,13 6.26 (2) (b) The municipal clerk, board of election commissioners, or elections government accountability board may appoint any applicant who qualifies under this subsection, unless the applicant's appointment has been revoked by a municipality or by the board for cause. The municipal clerk, board of election commissioners, or elections government accountability board may revoke an appointment made by the clerk, board of election commissioners, or elections government accountability board for cause at any time.

SB1, s. 18 Section 18. 6.26 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,15,18 6.26 (2) (c) No individual may serve as a special registration deputy in a municipality unless the individual is appointed by the municipal clerk or board of election commissioners of the municipality or the individual is appointed by the elections government accountability board to serve all municipalities.

SB1, s. 19 Section 19. 7.08 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,15,20 7.08 (title) Elections Government accountability board.

SB1, s. 20 Section 20. 7.08 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,16,2 7.08 (7) Voting system transitional assistance. From the appropriation under s. 20.510 (1) (c) 20.511 (1) (c), provide assistance to municipalities that used punch card electronic voting systems at the 2001 spring election to enable the municipalities to employ another type of electronic voting system, and provide training for election officials in the use of replacement systems.

SB1, s. 21 Section 21. 7.31 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,16,8 7.31 (5) The board shall conduct regular training programs to ensure that individuals who are certified by the board under this section are knowledgeable concerning their authority and responsibilities. The board shall pay all costs required to conduct the training programs from the appropriation under s. 20.510 (1) (bm) 20.511 (1) (bm).

SB1, s. 22 Section 22. 7.60 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,17,4 7.60 (4) (a) The board of canvassers shall make separate duplicate statements showing the numbers of votes cast for the offices of president and vice president; state officials; U.S. senators and representatives in congress; state legislators; justice; court of appeals judge; circuit judges; district attorneys; and metropolitan sewerage commissioners, if the commissioners are elected under s. 200.09 (11) (am). If a municipal judge elected under s. 755.01 (4) serves a municipality that is located partially within the county and candidates for that judgeship file nomination papers in another county, the board of canvassers shall prepare a duplicate statement showing the numbers of votes cast for that judgeship in that county for transmittal to the other county. For partisan candidates, the statements shall include the political party or principle designation, if any, next to the name of each candidate. The board of canvassers shall also prepare a statement showing the results of any county, technical college district, or statewide referendum. Each statement shall state the total number of votes cast in the county for each office; the names of all persons for whom the votes were cast, as returned; the number of votes cast for each person; and the number of votes cast for and against any question submitted at a referendum. The board of canvassers shall use one copy of each duplicate statement to report to the elections government accountability board, technical college district board, or board of canvassers of any other county and shall file the other statement in the office of the county clerk or board of election commissioners.

SB1, s. 23 Section 23. 7.60 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,17,23 7.60 (5) Reporting. (a) Immediately following the canvass, the county clerk shall deliver or send to the elections government accountability board, by 1st class mail, a certified copy of each statement of the county board of canvassers for president and vice president, state officials, senators and representatives in congress, state legislators, justice, court of appeals judge, circuit judge, district attorney, and metropolitan sewerage commissioners, if the commissioners are elected under s. 200.09 (11) (am). The statement shall record the returns for each office or referendum by ward, unless combined returns are authorized under s. 5.15 (6) (b) in which case the statement shall record the returns for each group of combined wards. Following primaries the county clerk shall enclose on forms prescribed by the elections government accountability board the names, party or principle designation, if any, and number of votes received by each candidate recorded in the same manner. The county clerk shall deliver or transmit the certified statement to the elections government accountability board no later than 7 days after each primary and no later than 10 days after any other election. The board of canvassers shall deliver or transmit a certified copy of each statement for any technical college district referendum to the secretary of the technical college district board.

SB1,18,10 (b) If the board of canvassers becomes aware of a material mistake in the canvass of an election for state or national office or a statewide or technical college district referendum prior to the close of business on the day the elections government accountability board receives returns from the last county board of canvassers with respect to that canvass, the board of canvassers may petition the elections government accountability board to reopen and correct the canvass. The elections government accountability board shall direct the canvass to be reopened and corrected if it determines that the public interest so requires. If the elections government accountability board directs the canvass to be reopened, the board of canvassers shall reconvene and transmit a certified corrected copy of the canvass statement to the elections government accountability board or secretary of the technical college district board.

SB1, s. 24 Section 24. 7.70 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,18,14 7.70 (1) Recording and preserving returns. (a) Upon receipt of the certified statements from the county clerks, the elections board shall record the election results by counties and file and carefully preserve the statements.

SB1,18,20 (b) If any county clerk fails or neglects to forward any statements, the elections board may require the clerk to do so immediately and if not received by the 8th day after a primary, or by the 11th day after any other election, the elections board may dispatch a special messenger to obtain them. Whenever it appears upon the face of any statement that an error has been made in reporting or computing, the elections board may return it to the county clerk for correction.

SB1, s. 25 Section 25. 7.70 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,19,3 7.70 (5) (b) For presidential electors, the elections board shall prepare a certificate showing the determination of the results of the canvass and the names of the persons elected, and the governor shall sign, affix the great seal of the state, and transmit the certificate by registered mail to the U.S. administrator of general services. The governor shall also prepare 6 duplicate originals of such certificate and deliver them to one of the presidential electors on or before the first Monday after the 2nd Wednesday in December.

SB1, s. 26 Section 26. 8.05 (1) (j) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,20,6 8.05 (1) (j) The municipal clerk shall notify in writing each candidate whose name is certified as a nominee under par. (h) of his or her nomination. If a municipal judge is elected under s. 755.01 (4), the county clerk of the county having the largest portion of the population in the jurisdiction served by the judge shall make the notification. Upon receipt of the notice, each candidate shall file a declaration of candidacy in the manner prescribed by s. 8.21 with the municipal clerk making the notification no later than 5 p.m. on the 5th day after the notification is mailed or personally delivered to the candidate by the municipal clerk, except as authorized in this paragraph. If an incumbent whose name is certified as a nominee fails to file a declaration of candidacy within the time prescribed by this paragraph, each certified candidate for the office held by the incumbent, other than the incumbent, may file a declaration of candidacy no later than 72 hours after the latest time prescribed in this paragraph. If the candidate has not filed a registration statement under s. 11.05 at the time of the notification, the candidate shall file the statement with the declaration. A candidate for municipal judge shall also file a statement of economic interests with the ethics board under s. 19.43 (4) no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 5th day after notification of nomination is mailed or personally delivered to the candidate, or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last day for filing a declaration of candidacy whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing a declaration of candidacy under this paragraph. Upon receipt of the declaration of candidacy and registration statement of each qualified candidate, and upon filing of a statement of economic interests by each candidate for municipal judge, the municipal clerk, or the county clerk if the judge is elected under s. 755.01 (4), shall place the name of the candidate on the ballot. No later than the end of the 3rd day following qualification by all candidates, the municipal clerk, or the county clerk if the judge is elected under s. 755.01 (4), shall draw lots to determine the arrangement of candidates' names on the spring election ballot.

SB1, s. 27 Section 27. 8.10 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,20,16 8.10 (5) Nomination papers shall be accompanied by a declaration of candidacy under s. 8.21. If a candidate has not filed a registration statement under s. 11.05 at the time he or she files nomination papers, the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A candidate for state office or municipal judge shall also file a statement of economic interests with the ethics board under s. 19.43 (4) no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers under sub. (2) (a), or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last day whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing nomination papers under sub. (2) (a).

SB1, s. 28 Section 28. 8.15 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,21,2 8.15 (4) (b) Nomination papers shall be accompanied by a declaration of candidacy under s. 8.21. If a candidate for state or local office has not filed a registration statement under s. 11.05 at the time he or she files nomination papers, the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A candidate for state office shall also file a statement of economic interests with the ethics board under s. 19.43 (4) no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers under sub. (1), or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last day whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing nomination papers under sub. (1).

SB1, s. 29 Section 29. 8.18 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,21,7 8.18 (2) The purpose of the convention is to nominate one presidential elector from each congressional district and 2 electors from the state at large. The names of the nominees shall be certified immediately by the chairperson of the state committee of each party to the chairperson of the elections board.

SB1, s. 30 Section 30. 8.20 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,21,17 8.20 (6) Nomination papers shall be accompanied by a declaration of candidacy under s. 8.21. If a candidate for state or local office has not filed a registration statement under s. 11.05 at the time he or she files nomination papers, the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A candidate for state office shall also file a statement of economic interests with the ethics board under s. 19.43 (4) no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers under sub. (8) (a), or no later than 4:30 p.m. on the next business day after the last day whenever that candidate is granted an extension of time for filing nomination papers under sub. (8) (a).

SB1, s. 31 Section 31. 8.50 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,22,8 8.50 (3) (a) Nomination papers may be circulated no sooner than the day the order for the special election is filed and shall be filed not later than 5 p.m. 28 days before the day that the special primary will or would be held, if required, except when a special election is held concurrently with the spring election or general election, the deadline for filing nomination papers shall be specified in the order and the date shall be no earlier than the date provided in s. 8.10 (2) (a) or 8.15 (1), respectively, and no later than 35 days prior to the date of the spring or September primary. Nomination papers may be filed in the manner specified in s. 8.10, 8.15 , or 8.20. Each candidate shall file a declaration of candidacy in the manner provided in s. 8.21 no later than the latest time provided in the order for filing nomination papers. If a candidate for state or local office has not filed a registration statement under s. 11.05 at the time he or she files nomination papers, the candidate shall file the statement with the papers. A candidate for state office shall also file a statement of economic interests with the ethics board no later than the end of the 3rd day following the last day for filing nomination papers specified in the order.

SB1, s. 32 Section 32. 8.50 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,22,13 8.50 (3) (e) In a special election for a state or national office, the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall transmit the statement of the county board of canvassers to the elections government accountability board no later than 7 days after the special primary and 13 days after the special election.

SB1, s. 33 Section 33. 9.01 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,23,18 9.01 (1) (a) Any candidate voted for at any election or any elector who voted upon any referendum question at any election may request a recount. The petitioner shall file a verified petition or petitions with the proper clerk or body under par. (ar) not earlier than the time of completion of the canvass and not later than 5 p.m. on the 3rd business day following the last meeting day of the municipal or county board of canvassers determining the election for that office or on that referendum question or, if more than one board of canvassers makes the determination not later than 5 p.m. on the 3rd business day following the last meeting day of the last board of canvassers which makes a determination. If the chairperson of the board or chairperson's designee makes the determination for the office or the referendum question, the petitioner shall file the petition not earlier than the last meeting day of the last county board of canvassers to make a statement in the election or referendum and not later than 5 p.m. on the 3rd business day following the day on which the elections government accountability board receives the last statement from a county board of canvassers for the election or referendum. Each verified petition shall state that at the election the petitioner was a candidate for the office in question or that he or she voted on the referendum question in issue; that the petitioner is informed and believes that a mistake or fraud has been committed in a specified ward or municipality in the counting and return of the votes cast for the office or upon the question; or shall specify any other defect, irregularity, or illegality in the conduct of the election. The petition shall specify each ward, or each municipality where no wards exist, in which a recount is desired. If a recount is requested for all wards within a jurisdiction, each ward need not be specified. The petition may be amended to include information discovered as a result of the investigation of the board of canvassers or the chairperson of the board or chairperson's designee after the filing of the petition, if the petitioner moves to amend the petition as soon as possible after the petitioner discovered or reasonably should have discovered the information which is the subject of the amendment and the petitioner was unable to include information in the original petition.

SB1, s. 34 Section 34. 9.01 (1) (ag) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,23,25 9.01 (1) (ag) 4. The board shall deposit all moneys received by it into the account under s. 20.510 (1) (g) 20.511 (1) (g), and shall pay the fees required for each recount to the county clerks of the counties in which the recount is to be held. The county clerk shall deposit fees received by him or her with the county treasurer. The municipal clerk shall deposit fees received by him or her with the municipal treasurer.

SB1, s. 35 Section 35. 9.01 (1) (ar) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,24,4 9.01 (1) (ar) 2. In the event of a recount for a referendum, the petition shall be filed with the clerk of the jurisdiction in which the referendum is called, and, in the case of the state, with the elections board.

SB1, s. 36 Section 36. 9.01 (10) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,24,7 9.01 (10) Standard forms and methods. The elections board shall prescribe standard forms and procedures for the making of recounts under this section.

SB1, s. 37 Section 37. 11.21 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,24,9 11.21 (title) Duties of the elections board.

SB1, s. 38 Section 38. 11.21 (7) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,24,12 11.21 (7) (intro.) Include in its biennial report under s. 5.05 (5) 15.04 (1) (d) compilations of any of the following in its discretion:

SB1, s. 39 Section 39. 13.123 (3) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,24,17 13.123 (3) (b) 2. In making the determination under subd. 1., the chief clerk is bound by the determination of the chairperson of the elections government accountability board or the chairperson's designee if such determination has been issued.

SB1, s. 40 Section 40. 13.23 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,25,3 13.23 Election contests; notice. Any person wishing to contest the election of any senator or member of the assembly shall, within 30 days after the decision of the board of canvassers, serve a notice in writing on the person whose election the contestant intends to contest, stating briefly that the election will be contested and the cause of such contest, and shall file a copy thereof in the office of the elections government accountability board at least 10 days before the day fixed by law for the meeting of the legislature. The elections government accountability board shall then send a copy of s. 13.24 to both contestants. If any contestant fails to so file a copy of such notice, the contestant shall not be entitled to any mileage or salary in case payment has been made therefor to the sitting member.

SB1, s. 41 Section 41. 13.62 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB1,25,5 13.62 (4) "Board" means the ethics government accountability board.